Intraocular Lenses

During cataract surgery, the eye's natural lens is removed and replaced with an Intraocular lens, or IOL. Since being approved by the FDA in 1981, IOLs have offered an effective alternative for cataract patients. Prior to the use of IOLs, cataract patients had to wear very thick eyeglasses or special contact lenses in order to see after the natural lenses were removed during surgery.

Types of Intraocular Lenses

Conventional IOLs are only monofocal, offering patients vision at only one distance (far, intermediate or near), and still requiring them to use corrective lenses to compensate for other distances. Now, there are new multifocal IOL's available, which provide patients the ability to see well at more than one distance without the use of glasses or contacts. Some examples of multifocal IOL's include:

ReStor

ReZoom

Crystalens

Other types available are: Toric IOLs for people with astigmatisms and Blue Light-Filtering IOLs, which help to filter UV light rays.

How much do Intraocular Lenses cost?

While cataract surgery and conventional IOL's are covered by insurance because it is considered medically necessary, newer lenses such as, ReStor, ReZoom and Crystalens procedures are not covered and tend to cost more because of their special features. You should discuss the portion of the procedure you will be responsible for with our office prior to the procedure.